Turkey About - About Turkey

Check your Midnight Express stereotypes at the door - this is a rapidly modernising country with one foot in Europe and one in the Middle East. It's not all oriental splendour, mystery, intrigue and whirling dervishes but it is a spicy maelstrom of history knocking up against a pacy present.

Turkey has so much to offer her visitors; breathtaking natural beauties, unique historical and archaeological sites, steadily improving hotel and tourist infrastructure, a tradition of hospitality and competitive prices. It is not surprising therefore that this country has recently become one of the world's most popular tourism destinations. Due to Turkey's diverse geography, one can experience four different climates in any one day.

The rectangular shaped country is washed on three sides by three different seas. Its shores are laced with beaches, bays, coves, ports, islands and peninsulas. The summers are long, lasting as long as eight months in some areas. Turkey is also blessed with majestic mountains and valleys, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and grottoes perfect action and sportive activities seekers. Skiing fans, mountain climbers, trekkers, hickers all enjoy new and unforgettable experiences in Turkey.

But Turkey is, above anything else, a huge open-air museum, a repository of all civilizations nurtured by the soils of Anatolia. The huge amount of historical and archaeological wealth in Turkey seems more appropriate for an entire continent than a single country. For centuries, Turkey has been a crossroads of religions, not only of Islam and Christianity, but of many others now forgotten by history. Many religions devotees can find a site, a shrine, a monument, a tomb or a ruin connected with their faith or belief.

Turkey is a country that's neither Asian nor European. It may be a cliché, but Turkey connects the East and the West both literally and figuratively... What words can describe Turkey. You would search in vain for a country where the history and culture is as impressive as Turkey. The civilizations of the world have left their own distinct marks on these lands. Turkey is full of intact remains from the Hittites, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans. They have all had their capitals on this soil. Turkey is simply beautiful. When you start an expedition to the countryside, or just leave cities for a couple of hours, you will notice a handsome difference in scenery. Turkey has 7 geographical regions and every region has its own beauty. While Black Sea dazzles your eyes with thousands of different green tones, you find yourself in a Steinbeck novel on the Eastern Turkey.

Turkey's land mass is 814,578 sq km. The European and Asian sides are divided by the Istanbul Bogazi (Bosphorus), the Sea of Marmara, and the Canakkale Bogazi (Dardanelles). Anatolia is a high plateau region rising progressively towards the east, broken up by the valleys of about 15 rivers, including the Dicle (Tigris) and the Firat (Euphrates). There are numerous lakes and some, such as Like Van, are as large as inland seas. In the north, the eastern Black Sea Mountain chain runs parallel to the Black Sea; in the south, the Taurus Mountains sweep clown almost to the narrow, fertile coastal plain along the coast. Turkey enjoys a variety of climates, ranging from the temperate climate of the Black Sea region, to the continental climate of the interior, then, to the Mediterranean climate of the Aegean and Mediterranean coastal regions. The coastline of Turkey's four seas is more than 8,333 km long.

Eat, drink and be merry! This epicurean motto never fit a country more perfectly than Turkey that has one of the three biggest cuisines in the world. The large variety of different dishes and delicacies for gourmet palates will surprise every guest paying a visit to Turkey. Turkish people are very friendly and hospitable. This is one of the virtues we are really proud of. When you visit Turkey you will get this warm feeling in every step you make.

Today Turkey is abuzz with life, energy and enterprise. It is a modern, secular country with a booming economy. It embraces the future as a bridge between the east and West. Its cities teem with vibrant cosmopolitan life. Wherever you travel in Turkey, the country and its people will amaze and impress the surge of its market forces and the modernization of the infrastructure of the whole country is impressive. Turkish hospitality and genuine warmth is a tradition. Turks have a certain "Joie de vivre" for life and enjoy nothing more than sharing their optimism and enthusiasm with travellers over a hot sweep cup of tea served in the traditional tulip shaped glass.

Turkey is a country located at a very strategic point where the three continents of the old world (Asia, Africa, and Europe) are closest to each other and where Asia and Europe meet. Because of geographical location, Turkey has always been important throughout history and is the birth place of many great civilizations.

A spectacular country surrounded by sea on three sides, with more than 300 natural and 130 artificial lakes, and almost %35 of its lands covered by forests and mountains, several rivers cutting the beaches to reach the seas makes the country even more attractive

Turkey has been called "the cradle of civilization" and by travelling through this historic land, tourists will discover exactly what is meant by this phrase. The first city ever settled in the world with comparatively modern organizational systems such as agriculture, animal husbandry, and trading, was a Neolithic city Catalhoyuk, in central Turkey, dating back to 6,500 BC. From the days of Catalhöyük up to the present, Turkey boasts a rich culture that through the centuries has made a lasting impression on modern civilization. The legacy of all those admirable cultures make Turkey a paradise of information and cultural wealth. Hattis, Hittites, Carians, Lelegians Phrygians, Urartians, Lycians, Lydians, Ionians, Persians, Macedonians, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks, and Ottomans have all made important contributions to Anatolian history, and ancient sites and ruins scattered throughout the country give proof of each civilization's unique distinction. When you travel by car, within half an hour you can meet to an ancient city, remaining from those civilizations. Even in the ancient times, this fascinating country was respected by those ancient people, therefore it has been called as ANATOLIA, which means in ancient Greek,
''The lands, where the sun rises from '' as many vital initial ideas came into existence from her fertile lap. No doubt, people always have been proud of breathing on this amazing peninsula, combining different cultures, customs and traditions, and she, once again started to offer her hospitality to new cultures & people, by introducing a new law permitting foreigners to buy houses, who deserve to meet her affectionate and fertile lands.

Turkey also has a very fascinating recent history. Upon the decline of the Ottoman Empire, a young man named Mustafa Kemal, who was a soldier by occupation but in character, a great visionary, took the defeat of World War I and turned it into a shining victory by liberating Turkey from all foreign invaders. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk founded the Republic of Turkey on October 29, 1923. He led his country into peace and stability, with tremendous economic growth and complete, modernization. Through
decades of change and growth, Turkey still boasts this success, living by its adopted motto of "Peace at Home, Peace in the World."

The money used in Turkish Republic is the Lira. As of January 2005, the Turkish government has taken the decision to drop 6 zeros from the Lira, the new lira is called ‘Yeni Lira- YTL'. The coins is called the ‘kurus'. Euros, British Pounds and US Dollars are very strong currencies towards Turkish Lira, offering foreign citizens a luxurious living at a low cost. Please see our FAQ's for further information on cost of living. Euros and US dollars are very commonly used currencies while shopping, you may also exchange at the banks or at the exchange offices. In addition to Turkish Private banks, there are many international banks such as HSBC, Citibank, ABN Amro in major cities, with sub-branches or correspondent banks in the districts.

The Turkish language belongs to the Ural-Altaic ,group and has an affinity with the Finno-Hungarian languages. Turkish is written with the Latin alphabet and is spoken by some 300 million people around the world. Many people from the young generation especially in the touristic areas speak foreign languages mainly English, German and Russian.

In recent years, Turkey has become a major tourist destination in Europe. With the rapid development of both summer and winter resorts, more and more people from around the world are able to enjoy the history, culture, and beautiful sites of Turkey. From swimming in the Mediterranean, trekking in mysterious Cappadocia to skiing in Uludag Turkey has something to offer every tourist. Oludeniz and Fethiye are wonderfull places of Turkey.

Turkey is a country located at a point where the 3 continents of the old world (Asia, Africa and Europe) are closest to each other and where Asia and Europe meet. Because of its geographical location, Anatolia has always been important throughout history and is the birthplace of many great civilizations.

Surrounded by seas on three sides, it is covered by mountains, forests, steppes and all sorts of land varitations.Thegenuine friendliness and traditional hospitality of the Turkish people towards visitors is justly renowned world wide.
Our country includes the famous holiday cities,beautiful resorts, museums, comfortable hotels and motels, sincere people, magnificent landscapes and etc..

There are many fantastic regions in Turkey

The Hittits, Hellens, Romans, Byzantines, Seljuks and the Ottomans as well as a great number of other civilisations rose and fell here through thousands of years, leaving behind a multitude of historical and archeological sites. It is in fact called the cradle of civilisations, harbouring in its bosom an incredible blend of cultures, history, archaeological sites.

To seethis geografhicalsituation and for living this athmoshpere you must be visit in Turkey.

In Turkey, as a country teeming with heritages of Mouslim,Christian and Jewish religions,much more than any other place in the world,we have started to organize tours of faith as atravelling agency specialized extensively in this particular field of tourism when the second millenium is two years ahead of us.

Each year thousands of people discover that Turkey is the home of legends and history taught in classrooms the world over.Visit the legendary Troy of Homer's ' Iliad', exotic Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.Travel to the reputed landing place of Noah's Ark or Garden of Eden.Or the place where Mark Antony and Cleopatra met and married, Saint Clause lived, Home of Virgin Mary, Seven Churches mentioned in the testament are located.

Travel along the Old Silk Road of Marco Polo,Sail the in comparable turquoise waters of the Mediterranean and sample food fit for a sultan.And do it all in style and comfort. Modern,sophisticated resorts and casinos are plentiful.

These things are here to be shared in a way that only the Turkish people can.The people of Turkey are as varied as their landscape,from black hair to red.from brown eyes to blue;all combine to make Turkey unique.The one thing that is uniform throughoutthis fascinating country is the hospitality of its people.

We hereby assure you that as devouted visitors of any of the aforesaid religions,you will be guided to so many sites of faith abounding within the borders of Turkey at a scale unparalled in any other parts of the world.During such cultivating and exiting tours,you will enjoy the opportunity of visiting following sites,each of which manifests unique features of heritages of different faiths;

Ankara - Modern capital of Turkish Republic as declared by Ataturk in 1923.Dates back to the Hittites,4000-3000 B.C.
Antalya - A seaport founded by Attalus,King of Pergamum,in 160 B.C.Now a lovely resort city,South Aegean Coast.
Aphrodisias - Named for the Goddness of Love, Aphrodite,in the 6TH century B.C.Also the site of one of the three sculpture schools in the ancient world.South Aegean Coast.
Aspendos - Roman city of the second century B.C.Site of the best-preserved theater in Asia Minor.
Cappodocia - An area of bizarre volcanic land formations.Although never formally a nation,was regocnized as a kingdom in 600 B.C. Became a Roman province in 17 A.D.Also recognized as a refuge for the early Christians.
Demre - Ancient Myra.Site of St.Nicholas Church.St.Nicholas lived here and was ordained Bishop in the 4th century A.D.South Coast.
Ephesus - By the 11th century B.C.Ephesuswas already a thriving seaport.Second-largest city of the ancient world,with a population of approximately 300.000.
Hiearapolis - Site of an early therapeutic center with Roman baths.Reached the height of its prosperity in the second / third centuries B.C.
Istanbul -The only city to bridge two continents,Europe and Asia.Istanbul , or Constantinople, as it was called in the past,is approximately 2600 years old Muslim capital.
Izmir - Ancient Smyrna, a vital trading port dating back approximately to the tenth century B.C. Homer was born here.Alexander the Great a citadel here.
Konya - Home of the whirling Dervishes, a mystical sect founded by the poet Calaleddin Rumi,Mevlana.This area has a history dating to the times of the Hittites.
Kusadasi - Resort town close to ancient Romans.Amazing cascades of shallow pools formed by limestone-laden thermal springs.Called the "Cotton Castle."
Pamukkale - Discovered by the ancient Romans.Amazing cascades of shallow pools formed by limestone-laden thermal springs.Called the ' Cotton Castle'.
Perge - Pre-Hellenic city dating to 333 B.C.Site of St.Paul's first sermon.
Phaselis - Founded in the 7th century B.C. by settlers from the Island of Rhodes.Trading port and ancient pirate haunt situated on three natural harbors.
Trabzon - Founded in the eighth century B.C.Later became the furthest outpost of the Greek Empire.Major trading city in the Byzatine era.It is on black Sea Coast...

During the early days of christianity,this new religion found the territory of Anatolia,where a significant portion of it was materialized,to be very suitable medium facilitating its expansion and therefore it settled in there. Some of noteworthy events of this particular period of time are as described below:

Istanbul : In Istanbul which is one of 4 largest patriarchal center of the Orthodox, the 5th meeting Consuls was held. Istanbul has become quite important because of the Church High Sophia situated there as one of the most well known church which has managed to remain intact until the present time.Furthermore, the Patriarchate of Fener situated presently in Istanbul is of great interest from the angle of the World of Orthodox.

Içel -Tarsus : The place of birth of St. Paul who was one of the 12 Apostles of Christ and who exerted great efforts in order to spread out christianity and to make it an internationally recognized religion is Tarsus. The Church of St.Paul and the Water Well of St. Paul are located in Tarsus. Besides,in Içel there are many works of arts such as the church of Mary (High Techia),the church of Olba Temple and the churches of Holy Mother and Alahan Monestry.

Seven Churches : The Seven Churches where the christians,during those period of time when The Chistianity was banned, gatherd together in order to perform religious services and which were mentioned in the Juanna's Revelations (Apocolyps ) are all situated in Anatolia (The churhes Ephesus, Symirna ,Bergamus ,Thyatira ,Saint Philedelphia,Laodecea)

Bursa-Iznik : Out of the meeting of the Consuls which were held 19 times ,8 of them took place in Turkey. In particular,the 1st and the 7th meeting which led to the adoption of the traditon for the Consuls Meetings were held in the High Sophia Church and the Palace of Consuls located at Iznik

Antakya : In the first century of the Chistianity, Antakya occupies a special position. According to the traditional belief, " The Bible of Malta " was written here. Those who believed in Jesus Christ was first named as the christians in Antakya.
(The Deeds of the Apostles 11-22-26) Saint Paulus, setting out from Antakya , made three trips in order to proclaim the Bible to the idolaters.All those facts that Saint Juanna , nicknamed as "The Golden Mouthed "was originally from Antakya ,the school of the Holy Book was located here and the churh of St. Pierre,one of the first churches of the world being situated here contribute to the fame of Antakya from religious aspects.

Saint Pierre Church : This is one the oldest churches in the world. Those who believed in Jesus Christ were named as " The Christians" in this church . This place was proclaimed as a site for pilgrimage in 1963 by the Pope 6th Paul . Every year on 29th day of June , ritual ceremonies are organised by the Catholic Church to be performed here. Furthermore,works of arts such as the stilist Monastry of St.Simon and the ruins of Seleucia Port from where Saint Pavlus has set sails in order to proclaim the Bible....

Izmir- Ephesus House of Virgin Mary : Located at 9 kilometers away from Selcuk town on the top of Bullbul Mountain with a height of 420 meters, the holy place called " Panaia Capulu" by the Christians is thought to have been built in IV. Century A.D.
Following crucifixation of Jesus Christ, his close friend and apostle St. Jean brought the Holy Mother to Ephesus by arranging her flight from Jerusalem and concealed her in a hut that he constructed in a corner at the outskirts of Bulbul Mountain under the cover thick woods. It is known that the Holy Mother lived until she was 101 years of age and died at this place on Bulbul Mountain. After the christianity has spred out, a church in the shape of cross was built at this location by the Christians.

In the house of Holy Mother which was proclaimed as a sacred site in 1967 by the popedom, on first Sunday following 15th day of August every year a special ritual ceremony is performed and the visitors then become pilgrims.

Besides, situated in the vicinity of Izmir, are ancient works of arts such as the Basilica of St.Jean (The tomb of St. Jean who was one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ ) , the Seven Sleepers, three of the Seven Churches (Church of Symirna, Church of Ephesus ).

Capodocia :Capodocia as an interesting valley which combines the natural beauty with the abundance of historical background and an influential region is one of the most interesting locations of Turkey as one of the sites where St.Paul stopped during his 30 years trip of missionary and selected as a site to set up the first church, being the most attractive stop in Turkey with the biggest number of churches and murals decorating these churches.The number of churches carved into stones as situated at Nevsehir, particularly around Goreme valley, at Zelve Chavushin, Ortahisar, Acikhisar, Mustafapasha, Yesiloz and Aciksaray is over 200.

Isparta : The church of St. Paul situated in the ancient city of Antiochelia in Yalvac is one of the first churches of the Christianity. Saint Paul, after he was awarded with the right of citizenship of Rome, he was baptized by Soul and Hanania. St Paul came to visit this city accompanied by St. Barnabas in the year 46 A.D. and gave his first formal sermon in the sinagogue located in here. Later on, over this sinagogue was built the church of Saint Paul.

SANTACLAUS

St. Nicholas who is known as Santa Claus in the world of the christianity lived at Demre and died here. Every year international festivals of Santa Clause are held at Demre and at Kas on 6th and 7th days of December . Additionally, there exist many more interesting religous sites for the Christians such as the Monastry of Der - Ul-Zaferan at Malatya, Surmeli monastry at Trabzon, Akdamar Island and Chapanak Churches at Van , Deyne and Derbe and Binbir Churches at Karaman , Ani ruins and Mount Ararat at Kars.

When Ottoman sultan Orhan Gazi conquered Bursa in year 1324, permission was granted to the community of Jews to build the sinagogue of Et- Ahaim (The three of life). The Jews who were expelled from France by Charles VI in 1324 took asylum in Edirne.
In 1492, King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isebellan of Castilia banished the Jews out of Spain. The Jews who were expelled from Spain because of their faiths and traditons and thus were turned out to be people belonging to no country , were embraced by Bayazid , the sultan of Ottoman Empire, being accepted for settlement in Anatolia.

In the meantime, the jews have since been maintaining their way of worshiping until present times in their own sinagoguers situated in Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara and Bursa...

The God called Abraham and asked him to leave his father's house,his relatives,his country and start his journey Why? Couldn't God called on him before he departed his country. The answer to this question is in the 11th verse written in the Letter to the Hebrews.

'By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance:he went out,not knowing where he was to go.By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country...They did not receive what had been promised but saw it and greeted it from afar and acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens on earth,for those who speak thus show that they are seeking a homeland.If they had been thinking of the land from which they had come, they would have had opportunity to return.But now they desire a better homeland, a heavenly one.Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God,for he has prepared a city for them.'

So, Abraham left the place he used to live,he was now looking for a new homeland.But as described in the Bible this homeland was a heavenly one ruled by God.However,in order to reach this mentioned land they were asked to leave behind everthing they owned and Abraham listening to the voice of God, for love of God and faith, Abraham left behind everthing without hesitation.In fact,doesn't Jesus Christ wants you to fallow him leaving everthing behind that carrying only the cross. Because it is written,where ever your treasure is,your heart will be there.Why did God invited Abraham to this journey and Why Abraham left everthing behind and took up the road ? Because great loves start on journeys!

'It was on that occasion that the Lord made a covenant with Abraham,saying'
To your descendants I give this land,from the Wadi of Egypt to the Great River, Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hitites, the Perrizites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Gigashites, and Jebusites' Genesis,15/18-21 It is here the New Testament mentions about the land of Hitites for the first time Holly Book at least said a few things about the Hitites while the Greeks and Roman world stood complete strange.In fact,excavations in Anatolia. So,in the verses of Genesis we meet the shadow of God's spirit on this land.This spirit will later surrender this land and would freely travel from one end to another and glorify this country.After all,the God had promised this land to its own people. During the expansion period of the Bible and even before that we have information about the colonies of the Jewish societies in Anatolia,St.Paul is one of them.

When the holly spirit has coasted its spell on the Apostles it guided them towards Anatolia, the spirit of Jesus Christ showed them the way which was like a wind whose voice was heard from everywhere which did not know where it come from and where it headed to.But this wind has blown on his land.People travelling on this land say that they still hear the sound.The Apocalypse and certain letters were written directly to communities in Anatolia.In other letters and in the acts of Apostles Anatolia is again frequently mentioned.And the followers of Jesus Christ were named as ' Christians' for the first time in Anatolia. (The Acts of the Apostles )

A lot has changed in Anatolia since the day of Apostles,but the spirit here has never changed.Today the warm and sensitive Muslim people the Anatolia still breath the air that the Apostles have left on his land.The same mystical winds blows on the mountains and plains of Anatolia,it is true that the sipirit here has not changed.Because Jesus Christ is very much the same in yesterday, today, tomorrow and the infinitive.

God called Abraham then,hundreds year later Apostles are called and today Gods call you; ' I,Jesus,sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches.I am the root and offspring of David,the bright morning star. The Spirit and the bride say,'Come.'Let the hearer say,'Come'. Let the one who thirsts come forward, and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water. Revelation, 22/16-17.

Today,those living in Anatolia like the very first believers call on you to join and embraces in the Christian Love,they are your Christian Brethren in Anatolia that has listened to the echoing call on this land since the last 2000 years.You can share the joy and happiness with these brethren that still bare the excitement that
resembles to the one that was witnessed in the period when the God's massage was first heard.Because we drank from the same sipirit.Do not forget that this is
not a commercial ar touristic but is a spiritual organization.Moreover,the revenues to be gained from this journey will be used for the realization of the similar spiritual services.

Abraham,and Apostles 100 years later..what was the reason that blow them from one corner to another and today,the believers.Perhaps a song gives us the reply that is frequently sang in Anatolia today'They do not have addresses,they do not have any sanctuaries except love,yet they still live in four corners of the world.During this journey you will fallow the footsteps of Apostles and you will
be able to listen the message with a new understanding in places where the Bible was first announced.You will have around you brothers and sisters that enjoy the same spirit. the same in yesterday,today,tomorrow and the infinitive...